Students in Phuentshogling continue to struggle with online learning as schools in the town remain closed amid lockdown. They have been learning online for more than two months now.
Students attend the sessions on Google classrooms and use other mobile phone applications to communicate with their teachers. It is inconvenient. In some homes, siblings take turn to attend online classes as they cannot afford a phone each.
Even for the parents, it has become an expensive affair. They have to recharge data package almost every day.
“Schools remained closed for two years now. Parents have to struggle equally along with the children. It is more challenging for those parents who have financial issues. Students have to upload videos in online classes and it consumes so much data,” said Nima Zam.
To address the issue, the education ministry is planning to relocate students of classes nine to twelve of Phuentshogling to Tamala school in Zhemgang. The education minister said the school is currently being repaired for relocation.
“Midterm is already here and if we have to relocate there are so many things to be done in the private schools or even in the government schools like Tamala. So it is a big concern for us. And then right now we are just maintaining and repairing. If the repair works cannot be complete in another three to five months, it does not solve our problem. We are also in a dilemma that if that is the case then we might have to resort to better ways to teach our children online,” said the minister.
Meanwhile, some students are considering relocation as a way forward. But some are worried about the financial implications of relocating.
“If we are relocated to other schools, we also have to see the financial status of our parents. The lockdown has affected everyone here. Our parents had to even borrow money to sustain themselves. Our parents don’t show the frustrations on us but we feel that they are severely affected by it. On the other hand, online classes aren’t that effective and we are still coping with it,” said Tandin Tshewang, a student.
“Even if the government plans to run our schools in containment mode here, it is risky. Despite following strict COVID-19 protocols, the risk is always high as we have many positive cases in the community,” added Kezang Dema.
They added their parents had to bear huge expenditure when they were relocated to other schools last year.
Even some teachers aren’t in favour of relocation. Teachers who were relocated last year said it was difficult for both teachers and students to cope in a new place. They added relocation to other schools may even lead to mental health problems as children suffer when they are away from their parents.
Kinzang Lhadon/Sonam Penjor
